St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-06-04
WOMEN IN RUSSIA.
A Picture Of Russian Home Life In IL
Time or Ivan the Terrible.

A Picture Of Russian Home Life In ~
Time or Ivan the Terrible.
In Mr.. Nathan Haskell Dole's recent
lecture on the '.Risc Of Russian Liter.
ature," he spoke Of the ''Domostroi, or
Book Of Domestic Management" writ
ten by the Pope Sylvester for the edifi-
cation Of his only son. Anphim and his
daughter-in-law Pelagia.
1t was composed early in the six
teenth century. during the reign Of Ivan
the Terrible, and throws curious light
on Russian society at that time.
For many years it was the universal
rade naecMns of household duties. It
may interest some Of the women Of
Philadelphia who did not hear Mr..
Dole's lecture to see what the old priest
laid dowl as law for the treatment and
behavior Of their sisters three centuries
and half ago. Mr.. Dole's translation
was as follows:
She must 60 to church ~ often as
possible and consult with her husband.
Husbands must teach their wives with
love and reasonable punishment. II
the wife live not according to her hus-
bands teaching then the husband must
punish her alone by themselves. and
after he has punished her he must for
give her and give further advice; but
they must not be angry with one an
other.
Servants and children must be pun
ished according to their guilt. and
wounds must be inflicted. but after the
punishment forgive the sin. But the
mistress Of tho house must look after
the servants as to what is fitting for the
same. But when it is necessary to rep
rehend your wife. your son or your
daughter, or to punish them by laying
on the whip. punish them not before
people. but alone. Strike them not on
the ear or in the face or on the head
with the fist, nor kick them or strike
them with the staff. either of iron or Of
wood. But if the sin be great, then,
stripping of the garment, apply little
whip discreetly. holding the hands.
Wives must ask their husbands about
all holy teaching, and be subject tc
them in all things.
Every day the husband and wife
should question each other and take
counsel about the whole conduct of the
house. She must have acquaintance
only with those whom her husband
commands. She may converse with
guests about her handiwork and about
household management, and listen when
she sees that it is good. What she does
not know she may ask modestly. What
ever any one commands she must "beat
the forehead" humbly. and when she
goes forth from the house she must tell
all things to her husband.
She may meet socially with good
women not for eating and drinking,
but for good conversation and knowl
edge; she must take care of her appear
ance and not indulge in laughter and
not gossip; if any one asks her about
any thing she must reply: 'Iknow not
l have heard nothing about it, and a.
for me, / ask not about unnecessary
things and do not talk about princes
and boyars and my neighbour" In no
a wise indulge in drunkenness; woman
may ofthss heer. Kuas, both ct hom,
and abroad. but sne must noe. .~..--.
drink secretly away from her husband;
the wise woman does not entertain the
stranger without her husband's pres
ence. In regard to all things consult
with the husband and not with the slave
and not with the serf.-PMladeiphio